Poetic Form 99: Madrigal

 What Love Means

When they see us they will know what love means.

Hand in hand in step with the fading light,

I understand why birds are called to flight.

I wake early to see the morning glean

on skin, promises mixing with sunlight.

When they see us they will know what love means.

Hand in hand in step with the fading light.

I admit to getting lost in-between

seductive kisses and your smile bright.

My heart soars with the doves in clouds of white.

When they see us they will know what love means.

Hand in hand in step with the fading light,

I understand why birds are called to flight.

Poetic Form #99: Madrigal

The madrigal is an Italian form. There are two main types, the Italian and English.

I will focus on the English. The English form was developed by Geoffrey Chaucer. 

It is written in iambic pentameter, with three stanzas: a tercet, quatrain, and sestet. 

All three of the lines in the opening tercet are refrains.

The form follows this rhyme pattern:

Line 1: A

Line 2: B1

Line 3: B2

Line 4: a

Line 5: b

Line 6: A

Line 7: B1

Line 8: a

Line 9: b

Line 10: b

Line 11: A

Line 12: B1

Line 13: B2